Phonetic sound-producing dictionary apparatus



July 15, 1952 C, M, MacHESNEY p -rAL 2,603,006

PHONETIC SOUND-PRODUCING DICTIONARY APPARATUS 2 SHEETS-SHEET l Filed Aug. 5. 1948 B. m5 a v m m um C mf Q v M ma .T W MW MRFV H l l .Yo/0] 5 R/ w u w N mN THT UN JN U a f N 6M wm@ ./nN ../KHH YYH an E 3% CN NL Nuno N 2 UN nc u No PWC N Hbf.. OBE H Y July 15, 1952 c. M. MaccHEsNl-:Y Erm. 2,603,006

PHONETIC soUND-PRoDUcING DICTIONARY APPARATUS e' Filed Aug. 5, 1948 2' SHEETS- SMT 2 45 54 lian il Irun d:

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CeSZQr/Y/.Tzc 5h95@ BY EQ Weyer Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcEg-ffff PHONETIC SOUND-PRODUCIN G DICTIONARY APPARATUSl "Chester M. MacChesney and Ella B. Wenger, Chicago, Ill., assignors to'Ellamac Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 3, 1948, Serial No. Y42,274.

5 Claims. l

The vpresent invention relates to phonetic sound producing dictionary apparatus that is especially useful in teaching languages, elocution and the like, and in establishing correct and authoritative pronunciations.

Heretofore, one source of correct pronunciations of words and phrases has been the conventional printed dictionary with its lsystem of diacritical markings. While a conventional dictionary is useful for the purposes noted, it does not absolutely establish pronunciaticns since the 'sound interpretations given to the diacritical markings employed often vary between individuals and localities, resulting in a disparity of pro- -nunciations and the consequent growth of dialects within a single language.

.Another source of correct pronunciations of words and phrases has been the conventional phonograph apparatus. However, in this apparatus there is no visual display of a word as the corresponding phonetic sounds are produced so that there is no correlation in the mind of the listener between the spelling and the appearance of a given word and the proper pronunciation thereof. 'Moreoven in a conventional phonograph record there is no ready manner by which there improved apparatus of the character noted in which a given Word or phrase is visually displayed and audibly produced simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus of the character noted that comprisesa plurality of record cards which may he conveniently and alphabetically stored as `a set and readily selected for individual use as required.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvedapparatus of the character noted that comprises a sound reproduction unit that is adaptedto be readily and immediately controlled to produce phonetic sounds corresponding to any given word'or phrase previously recorded on an associated record card.

A further object of the invention is to provide pronouncing dictionary apparatus of the magnetic medium record type that is of rugged and 2 economical construction and arrangement and which may be readily and easily operated to .produce clear phonetic sounds corresponding to .authoritative pronunciations of words and phrases.

Further features of the invention pertainto the particular arrangement of the .elements of the phonetic Asoundproducing dictionary apparatus, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization-and method of operation, together `with furtherfobjects and advantages thereof, will best belunderstood by-reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a'perspective View of a table supporting phonetic sound producing dictionary apparatus including a plurality of record cards and a sound reproduction unit and embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2A is a greatly enlarged fragmentary front view of one of the record cards shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 2B is a greatly-enlarged fragmentary side view of the record card shown in Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a record card support and holder incorporated inthe sound reproduction unit shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged rear perspective View 'of one of the record cards and the mechanismincorporated in the sound reproduction unit shown in Fig. l, as Well as a schematic wiring diagram ofthe sound reproduction unit;

Fig. '5 is a transverse sectional view of y.the mechanism incorporated inthe sound reproduction unit, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional View Aof the mechanism incorporated in the sound reproduction unit, taken in the direction of the arrow along the line 6--6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan sectional view of the mechanism incorporated in the soundreproduction unit, taken in the direction of the varrows along'the line 1-1 in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a plan sectional view of the mechanism incorporated in the sound reproduction unit, taken in the direction of the arrows along Ithe line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a table .l'supporting phonetic sound producing dictionary apparatus Il embodying the featuresvof the present invention and comprising a iile l2 carrying a plurality orzset of record cards I3, arranged alphabetically, and a sound reproduction unit I4. The ille I2 may constitute one of a plurality adapted to be removably received in a lle cabinet, not shown. In this case the group of record cards I3 arranged alphabetically in the iile I2 will cover a corresponding group of the total set of record cards. The file I2 is portable and any one of the record cards I3 may be readily removed therefrom. Likewise, the sound reproduction unit I4 is portable and may be readily connected into any convenient electrical outlet, not shown.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2A and 2B, each of the record cards I3 comprises a substantially rectangular body sheet bearing printed matter on the front side thereof representing a plurality of given words and indicating the spellings, pronunciations and definitions of the given words. For example, the printed matter arranged on the front side of the record card I3 may set forth the items noted with reference to three given words arranged in vertically spaced-apart relation, whereby the three words are respectively arranged adjacent to the top portion, to the middle portion, and to the bottom portion of the record card I3. Specifically, the Word annunciary appears on the top portion of the front side of the record card I3, the letters or symbols employed indicating the preferred spelling of this word. Also there appears in conjunction with this word other letters or symbols,

together with diacritical markings, indicative of the preferred pronunciation of this word. Finally, there appears with this word a dennition.

Also, the record card I3 carries on the front side thereof three magnetic elements or media I5 arranged in vertically spaced-apart relation and embedded in the Vbody sheet; which three magnetic elements I5 have respectively recorded thereon groups of phonetic characters indicative of the preferred pronunciations of the three respective words. In Figs. 2A and 2B the magnetic element I5 embedded in the front of the body sheet and individually associated with the first word annunciary appearing on the top portion of the front side of the record card I3 is illustrated. Also, for reference purposes this magnetic element I5 is illustrated as comprising phonetic characters indicated at Ia, although it will be understood that in fact the phonetic characters recorded on the magnetic element I5 are invisible, since such phonetic characters recorded in a magnetic medium are not visible physical ponderables, but are magnetic characterlstics affecting permeability in the magnetic medium.

The record cards I3 are produced in any suitable manner and bear on the front side thereof printed matter setting forth any other appropriate information with reference to the three Words presented. Likewise, the three magnetic elements I5 are prepared utilizing a magnetic record device and are suitably secured to the front side of the record card I3 in proper relation with respect to the three words presented. Each of the magnetic elements I5 may take the form of a thin strip of paper carrying a coating containing fine powdered metal particles of high magnetic retentivity, such, for example, as that sold under the trade-mark Hyilux. Preferably each magnetic element I5 is positioned in a corresponding shallow recess or groove I3c formed in the front surface of the body sheet and secured in place by utilizing a suitable non-magnetic cement. This arrangement is very advantageous as the front side of the record card I3 is smooth and respectively extending over the grooves I3a, in'.

order further to protect the magnetic elements- IE. The body sheet of the record card I3 may' be formed of any suitable non-magnetic material'v so that it is reasonably self-supporting, yet appropriately flexible. Specifically, the body sheet of the record card I3 may be formed of an appropriate grade of paper or of a plastic substance such, for example, as cellulose acetate.

Also, in the preparation of the record cards I3 it will be understood that, in addition to words, appropriate phrases may be presented and the presentation may be in any language or, in fact, bilingual. The preparation of the record cards I3 utilizing a bilingual arrangement of words and phrases is very advantageous in teaching a foreign language in that both the spellings, deflnitions and pronunciations of the words and phrases in the two languages are presented and correlated.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. l, 3 and 4, the sound reproduction unit I4 comprises a casing I5 having a longitudinally extending slot Ific formed therein and adapted to receive any one of the record cards I3. Also the casing I6 houses an adjustable record card holder I1 arranged in cooperative relation with the slot I6a. Specifically, the holder Il comprises an elongated body I8 carrying upwardly directed front and rear ilanges I9 and 2U defining a guide channel adapted to engage the lower edge of a record card I3 inserted into the slot Ilia provided in the casing I6. The body I8 terminates at opposite ends thereof in holders or tabs 2I projecting from the opposite sides of the slot Ilia formed in the casing I6. Each of the tabs 2| is provided with two laterally spaced-apart and downwardly directed ears 22 to which there are secured friction pads 23 formed of felt, rubber, or the like, and engaging the casing IG adjacent to the slot Ita formed therein. The slot ItaJ formed in the casing I5 is quite deep so that the card holder Il Amay be readily adjusted in a vertical direction into any one of three vertical positions respectively corresponding to the vertical spacedapart relation of the three words presented upon a record card I3. When the record card holder I1 is moved into any one of its adjusted positions utilizing the tabs or holders 2|, it is frictionally restrained in its adjusted position by the engagement between the pads 23 and the sides of the casing I6 disposed adjacent to the slot IBa.

Also, the casing I6 houses a magnetic pick-up head 24 that is operatively associated with the record card holder I'I. More particularly, the head 24 occupies a substantially centrally disposed position in the casing I6 that is correlated with respect to the position of the slot [6a formed in the casing I6 and to the position of the record card holder I'I carried in the slot IGa. Specically, when the record card holder Il occupies its lower adjusted position and a record card I3 is inserted into the slot Ilia, the upper magnetic element I5 individually associated with the first word presented near the top of the record card I3 is disposed in operative relation with respect to the head 24; when the record card holder Il occupies its middle adjusted position and a record card I3 is inserted into the slot Ia, the middle magnetic element I5 individually associated with the second word presented near the middle of the'reco'rd card I Brisdisposed nzoperatiyerelation'r withsrespect-.to thehead 2:4; andwllenth record card: holder I l, occupies .itszilliplenedilled position and arecord cardl3 isinser;ted .lnie:t1l sion Ito the lower maenetio:element, A|5 .,11 id1vio: ually.v associatedwith; the third: Word: presented near thebottomz ofthe recordicerd: I3: sadsliosed inoperative relation withr-espect to .thehead,24l In; order to facilitate quick and ready adjustment of: the record .card holder- I;1 v suteb1e -.ndicanot shown; be carriedon the -sdesgor thefcasne it; adjacent: to the slot; a.- formed therein,

Further; the sound` reproduction unit. .I acumnriscs anemplier, enowcrlsilpnlyunlt 26, rdtzandi secondisound translating; devices..l 21 .and .2.35 adrivo motorA 29, ancwer sunolyuuntcontrcl switch; 8.0; a motorr-contrclswitch el and a. plus @2li-that is` adapted; to beinserted into, aVA convenient electricalk outlet, not shown. I hescund translating. device 2 may take the. orm of; a

loudspeaker, while the. sound translating, dei/.ice

2,78, may take they formY of, a` telephone receiver. The head.v 24 is operatively connected Viaayolurne control device 33. to the. control .circuit of the amnlier 25; .the newer supplyv unit 2611s. 0peratively connected to the circuitsof theamplier 25; andthe output circuitofthe amplifier 25 may beselectively connectedby a switch-34 either to theloudspea-ker 2l or to-thereceiver 2li. Of

course, the-volume of the voutput circuit of the ampliielH 25 will` be appropriately setv utilizing lthe, volume control device/.33 after-the switch 3d has beenfoperated tor select veither the loudspeaker 25Tor;tl1e,receiver-28., Aftertheplugz has been inserted into an electrical outlet, I not. shown,v the I f tion. and. arrangement-.ot the .mechanism housed.

in the casing it`v and: operatively connected: t0 the motor 29for-the'purpose cfmoving the record card I3, it is pointed out thatarecord card guiding equipment is housed Withinvthecasng. L6 in c0- Operative relation to the slot Ita; Spceiicelly, this recordv card' guiding equipment comprises, 1n addition to the record card ,holder Il, and Aupper rear guide irl disposed rearwardly: or the head-z Miami extending outwardlyon either side thereof;7 and upper front guides-42 and-.43 r.espec-.

tivelyedisposed on the right'and. left sides ofthe head 24; and extending outwardly therefrom.

Also, this record card' guiding equipment. comprises lower centralrear and: front guides 4d` and 5, respectively, lower right rear and front guides 45. and 47:, respectively, and lower leftrear and front guides i8 and e', respective-ly'. The lower central rear guide 413, ltheY lower right-rear guide 4B and the lower left rear guide 48 are arranged Yin longitudinal alignment and are disposed below the upper rear guide 4 I.. Likewise, the lower centrai from; guide 45, the lower right front guide 4'!l and the lower left front guide 4.9 are arranged in longitudinal alignment and are disposed re'- spectvely below the head 24, andthe upper right front guide I2 and the upper left front guide 43. The guides 4i, 44., 45; and 4-8 are thus arranged in a` vertical.; plane disposed adjacent to the. rear edge of'l thek slot Ito; while cheveu-idee 4,2, 4e, 45, 41- and 4.93 are thus arranged in a verticalrplane disposed adjacent totheafrcntgedse offthe.slot .l6.a, Finally.; the-.record cardholder I] isdisposed-,belo-w. theeudes-.IML 4.5,.45, 4J; '4.3 andes. Thus; it .will be understood thatwhenta recordrcard; I is-inSerted intothe slot I .6a for-med in the .casing le', 'thelower edge.y thereof is supportedY by/ the record. card holder Il and, the recordicard L3 may be readily. moved through JEhe space between. the variousrear gudesAI; 4,4, 46 and Band the variouszfront ,gnides 43, 115; 4;.1 andf49.. Specifically, a record card I3wis inserted into` the. right-hand. side of the slot Iw. `and moved-therethrough .and thence out vofthe lefthand: sideof' the slot- Ia.

' l'Ihemechansm for movinga record card 'I3 in guided relation-.to the'. hea-d 213` .comprses in addition Vto the motor 29, right-.and leftv rear friction rollers 5I and` 52, respectively, .andi-ight and. left Afront-friction rollers 5 3 and v54, respectively. More particularly, :the `right rear friction roller 5I. is disposed between theguides 44 and 46 and is lrotatably mounted upon a spindle 16I that is, in turn, carried 'by an arm 'I.I 'mounted upon a pivot 8l lxedly positioned in the casing I6. Likewise, `the -left rear friction roller 52y is disposedbetween the guides-.44 and 48 and is ro.- tatab'ly. mounted upon a spindle B2 that is, in turn, carried `by an arm "I2 mounted upon a pivot 82 xedlypositioned in thecasing I6; Therght front friction roller-53 is disposed between `the guides i5 and 41 and is rotatably mounted upon a spindle 83 xedly positionedfin the casing I6, while the left front friction roller 54 `is disposed between the guides 45 and A49 and isfrotatably mounted upon a spindle 84 flXedly-positioned in the casing lr6. The. motor 29 carries a friction hub SI that operatively engages -a friction wheel' 92 that isrotatablymounted upon a spindle 93 i'lxedly'positioned in the casing I6. The periphery ofthe friction wheel 92 cooperates with the peripheries of thefriction rollersA 5I. and 52; and the arms 'II and 'I2 upon which the friction rollers 5I and 52 are respectively mounted are normally biased toward each other by an arrangement including a coil spring 94 extending therebetween. The coil .spring 94 lnot onlylbiases the peripheral surfaces ofthe friction rollers 5! and 52'- into' engagement with the periphery-v of the friction wheel 912, but it also biases vthe peripheries of the frictionrollers 5 IY and 52 Ainto vnor- -mal Yrespective engagements with the friction rollers '53 and 5 4,

Considering now the operation of the mechanism housed in the casing I6 when operation of the motor 29 is started as a result of operation ofy the switch '3 I, the friction hub. 9j is rotated in the clockwise direction effecting rotation ofY the frictonv lwheel 92 in the counterclockwise .direction and. the consequent, rotation. of the friction rollersr 5.! and 5.2 in the clockwise direction, whereby thefriction rollers 5,3 .and 5,4 are rotated in the counterclockwise, direction.; all as viewed in. Fig. 7. Atl .thistixne when the left-handedge of .oneof the record` cards I3 is inserted intoy the right-.hand side vof the slot Isa formed in the casingv I6. and urged.- toward the left, it enters between the friction rollers 5I and 53, Thefriction; rollersl 5I and 53- feed or move the record card I3 through the guides 444,5, etc., @dl/anc" ing the left-hand edge thereof between the friction rollers 5,2v and 54, The friction rollers-.52 and 5,4 then ladvance the record card I3 through. the slot |641: and thence out of the left-hand side lillelleQfi. ACQIdIlgly, the mechanism causes'the recordset@ I3; inserted in` the right-handside of the slot Ita to be passed therethrough and outl of the left-hand side thereof, whereby the record card I3 is moved across the head 24. At this time the record card holder I1 occupies a predetermined one of its three adjusted positions, whereby the corresponding one of the magnetic elements I carried thereby is moved in cooperative relation across the head 24. Assuming that the switch 30 has been operated in order to render effective the power supply unit 26, and consequently the amplifier 25 and the head 24, the head 24 senses the phonetic characters recorded upon the particular magnetic element I5 moved thereacross. At this time the switch 34 may be operated to either of itsposivtions in order to select either the loudspeaker 2'I or the receiver 28, whereby the amplier 25 causes the selected loudspeaker 2'I or the receiver 2B audibly to reproduce the word or phrase recorded on the particular magnetic element I5 as it is moved across the head 24. The switch 34 may be operated to select the loudspeaker 21 for group or classroom instruction; while the switch 34 may be operated to select the receiver 28 for individual instruction, when use of the loudspeaker 2l would disturb or annoy others.

In view of the foregoing it will be understood that the particular one of the three words on the record card I3 to be audibly reproduced is selected by the adjusted position of the record card holder I1 and that, simultaneously with `the audible reproduction of the selected word, the spelling of the selected word is visibly displayed upon the record card I3 just above the top of the casing I6 as the record card I3 is moved through the slot IEa formed in the casing I6. This arrangement is very advantageous in view of the fact that the general appearance of a word, as well as the spelling thereof, may be visually examined by a person as he hears the corresponding phonetic sounds thereof, whereby the visual characteristics and the audible characteristics of the selected word are simultaneously presented. This simultaneous visual presentation and audible presentation of a word isV brought about by virtue of the correlation between the arrangement of the printed matter disposed on the front side of the record card and the arrangement of the corresponding magnetic medium disposed on the front side of the record card. Specifically, in conjunction with each word presented on the record card the printed matter on the front side thereof always appears above the magnetic medium on the front side thereof and is visible above the top of the casing I6 as the word is being produced.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided phonetic sound producing dictionary apparatus of the magnetic record type capable of presenting simultaneously in a ready and convenient manner both the visual .aspects of a selected word or phrase and the proper and authentic phonetic sounds thereof.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention. 4

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, an upstanding record card bearing a substantially horizontal array of symbols indicative of the spelling of a given word and carrying a vertically spaced and substan- `tially horizontal magnetic medium having magnetically recorded thereon phonetic characters indicative of the pronunciation of said given word; and a sound reproduction unit including a magnetic pick-up head, a holder for supporting said record card in its upstanding position so that said symbols are exposed to the view of an observer and so that said magnetic medium is operatively associated with said head, motor means for moving in a substantially horizontal direction said record card through said holder to cause said magnetic medium carried thereby to be moved across said head, said last-mentioned means moving said record card from right to left from the position of an observer and at a relatively slow speed so that the symbols borne thereby are legible to the observer during the movement of said record card, means for operating said head to sense said characters moved thereacross as said record card is moved through said holder, a sound translating device, and means responsive to operation of said head to sense said characters for operating said device to produce corresponding phonetic sounds.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said sound reproduction unit further includes a casing supporting said holder and said head in cooperating relation and housing said motor means and said sound translating device.

3. In combination, an upstanding record card bearing a plurality of substantially parallel vertically spaced-apart horizontal arrays of symbols respectively indicative of the spelling of a corresponding plurality of given words and carrying a corresponding plurality of substantially parallel vertically spaced-apart magnetic media respectively having magnetically recorded thereon phonetic characters respectively indicative of the pronunciation of said given words; and a sound reproduction unit including a magnetic pick-up head, a substantially vertically adjustable holder for supporting said record card in its upstanding position so that any one of said arrays of symbols may be exposed to the view of an observer and so that the corresponding one of said magnetic media is operatively associated with said head, motor means for moving in a substantially horizontal direction said record card through said holder to cause the corresponding one of said magnetic media carried thereby to be moved across said head, said lastmentioned means moving said record card from right to left from the position of an observer and at a relatively slow speed so that said one array of symbols borne thereby is legible to the observer during the movement of said record card, means for operating said head to sense the characters recorded on said one magnetic medium moved thereacross as said record card is moved through said holder, a sound translating device, and means responsive to operation of said head to sense the characters recorded on said one magnetic medium for operating said device to produce corresponding phonetic sounds.

4. A sound reproduction unit comprising a record card holder adapted to receive and to support in an upstanding position a record card bearing a substantially horizontal array of symbols indicative of the spelling of a given Word and carrying a vertically spaced and substantially horizontal magnetic medium having magnetically recorded thereon phonetic characters indicative of the pronunciation of the given word, a magnetic pick-up head operatively associated with said record card holder, a friction drive operative to engage and to move in a substantially horizontal direction a record card supported by said record card holder to cause the magnetic medium carried thereby to be moved across said head,

Y motor means for operating said friction drive,

holder, a sound translating device, and means responsive to operation of said head to sense phonetic characters for operating said device to produce corresponding phonetic sounds.

5. A sound reproduction unit comprising a casing, a record card holder carried by said casing and having a substantially horizontal slot formed therein and adapted to receive in an upstanding position a record card bearing a substantially horizontal array of symbols indicative of the spelling of a given word and carrying a vertically spaced and substantially horizontal magnetic medium having magnetically recorded thereon phonetic characters indicative of the pronunciation of the given Word, a magnetic pick-up head carried by Said casing in cooperating relation with said holder, said holder being adapted to receive an edge of a record card inserted into said slot and to support the record card in an upstanding position so that the symbols borne thereby are exposed to the view of an observer and so that the magnetic medium carried thereby is operatively associated with said head, motor means 3 housed in said casing for moving in a substantially horizontal direction a record card supported by said holder to cause the magnetic medium carried thereby to be moved across said head, said last-mentioned means moving the record card from right to left from the position of an observer and at a relatively slow speed so that the symbols borne thereby are legible to the observer during the movement of the record card, means for operating said head to sense phonetic characters recorded on a magnetic medium moved thereacross as a record card is moved through said holder, a sound translating device housed in said casing, and means responsive to operation of said head to sense phonetic characters for operating said device to produce corresponding phonetic sounds.

CHESTER M. MACCHESNEY. ELLA B. WENGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,228,782 Sharples J an. 14, 1941 2,275,609 Bryce Mar. 10, 1942 2,357,455 Bryce Sept. 5, 1944 2,369,572 Kallmann Feb. 13, 1945 2,427,388 Bryce Sept. 16, 1947 2,457,699 Marsen Dec. 28, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 27,763 Great Britain Nov. 29, 1910 

